Fiberglass binder comprising maleinated polyols

ABSTRACT

Provided is a fiberglass binder composition which includes as the essential binding components maleinated polyol[s] and a reactive component selected from the group consisting of alkanolamines, polyols, and monomers containing terminal unsaturation. The resultant binder provides minimal processing difficulties and a fiberglass product which exhibits good water absorption properties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention pertains to formaldehyde-free fiberglass bindersderived from maleinated polyols. More particularly, the subjectinvention pertains to a fiberglass binder comprising maleinated polyolsand a reactive component selected from the group consisting ofalkanolamines, polyols, and monomers containing terminal unsaturation.Such binders are useful as replacements for formaldehyde-based bindersin non-woven fiberglass goods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fiberglass binders have a variety of uses ranging from stiffeningapplications where the binder is applied to woven or non-wovenfiberglass sheet goods and cured, producing a stiffer product;thermo-forming applications wherein the binder resin is applied to asheet or lofty fibrous product, following which it is dried andoptionally B-staged to form an intermediate but yet curable product; andto fully cured systems such as building insulation.

Fibrous glass insulation products generally comprise matted glass fibersbonded together by a cured thermoset polymeric material. Molten streamsof glass are drawn into fibers of random lengths and blown into aforming chamber where they are randomly deposited as a mat onto atraveling conveyor. The fibers, while in transit in the forming chamberand while still hot from the drawing operation, are sprayed with anaqueous binder. A phenol-formaldehyde binder has been used throughoutthe fibrous glass insulation industry. The residual heat from the glassfibers and the flow of air through the fibrous mat during the formingoperation are generally sufficient to volatilize the majority to all ofthe water from the binder, thereby leaving the remaining components ofthe binder on the fibers as a viscous or semi-viscous high solidsliquid. The coated fibrous mat is transferred to a curing oven whereheated air, for example, is blown through the mat to cure the binder andrigidly bond the glass fibers together.

Fiberglass binders used in the present sense should not be confused withmatrix resins which are an entirely different and non-analogous field ofart. While sometimes termed “binders”, matrix resins act to fill theentire interstitial space between fibers, resulting in a dense, fiberreinforced product where the matrix must translate the fiber strengthproperties to the composite, whereas “binder resins” as used herein arenot space-filling, but rather coat only the fibers, and particularly thejunctions of fibers. Fiberglass binders also cannot be equated withpaper or wood product “binders” where the adhesive properties aretailored to the chemical nature of the cellulosic substrates. Many suchresins are not suitable for use as fiberglass binders. One skilled inthe art of fiberglass binders would not look to cellulosic binders tosolve any of the known problems associated with fiberglass binders.

Binders useful in fiberglass insulation products generally require a lowviscosity in the uncured state, yet characteristics so as to form arigid thermoset polymeric mat for the glass fibers when cured. A lowbinder viscosity in the uncured state is required to allow the mat to besized correctly. Also, viscous binders tend to be tacky or sticky andhence they lead to accumulation of fiber on the forming chamber walls.This accumulated fiber may later fall onto the mat causing dense areasand product problems. A binder which forms a rigid matrix when cured isrequired so that a finished fiberglass thermal insulation product, whencompressed for packaging and shipping, will recover to its as-madevertical dimension when installed in a building.

From among the many thermosetting polymers, numerous candidates forsuitable thermosetting fiberglass binder resins exist. However,binder-coated fiberglass products are often of the commodity type, andthus cost becomes a driving factor, generally ruling out such resins asthermosetting polyurethanes, epoxies, and others. Due to their excellentcost/performance ratio, the resins of choice in the past have beenphenol-formaldehyde resins. Phenol-formaldehyde resins can beeconomically produced, and can be extended with urea prior to use as abinder in many applications. Such urea-extended phenol-formaldehydebinders have been the mainstay of the fiberglass insulation industry foryears, for example.

Over the past several decades however, minimization of volatile organiccompound emissions (VOCs) both on the part of the industry desiring toprovide a cleaner environment, as well as by Federal regulation, has ledto extensive investigations into not only reducing emissions from thecurrent formaldehyde-based binders, but also into candidate replacementbinders. For example, subtle changes in the ratios of phenol toformaldehyde in the preparation of the basic phenol-formaldehyde resoleresins, changes in catalysts, and addition of different and multipleformaldehyde scavengers, has resulted in considerable improvement inemissions from phenol-formaldehyde binders as compared with the binderspreviously used. However, with increasingly stringent Federalregulations, more and more attention has been paid to alternative bindersystems which are free from formaldehyde.

One such candidate binder system employs polymers of acrylic acid as afirst component, and a polyol such as glycerine or a modestlyoxyalkylated glycerine as a curing or “crosslinking” component. Thepreparation and properties of such poly(acrylic acid)-based binders,including information relative to the VOC emissions, and a comparison ofbinder properties versus urea formaldehyde binders is presented in“Formaldehyde-Free Crosslinking Binders For Non-Wovens”, Charles T.Arkins et al., TAPPI JOURNAL, Vol. 78, No. 11, pages 161-168, November1995. The binders disclosed by the Arkins article, appear to beB-stageable as well as being able to provide physical properties similarto those of urea/formaldehyde resins.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,868 discloses fiberglass insulation products curedwith a combination of a polycarboxy polymer, a-hydroxyalkylamide, and anat least one trifunctional monomeric carboxylic acid such as citricacid. The specific polycarboxy polymers disclosed are poly(acrylic acid)polymers. See also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,582

U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,990 discloses a fibrous glass binder which comprisesa polycarboxy polymer, a monomeric trihydric alcohol and a catalystcomprising an alkali metal salt of a phosphorous-containing organicacid.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,398 discloses the synthesis of liquid molding resinsderived from plant oils that are capable of curing to high modulusthermosetting polymbers and composites.

Published European Patent Application EP 0 583 086 A1 appears to providedetails of polyacrylic acid binders whose cure is catalyzed by aphosphorus-containing catalyst system as discussed in the Arkins articlepreviously cited. Higher molecular weight poly(acrylic acids) are statedto provide polymers exhibiting more complete cure. See also U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,661,213; 5,427,587; 6,136,916; and 6,221,973.

Some polycarboxy polymers have been found useful for making fiberglassinsulation products. Problems of clumping or sticking of the glassfibers to the inside of the forming chambers during the processing, aswell as providing a final product that exhibits the recovery andrigidity necessary to provide a commercially acceptable fiberglassinsulation product, have been overcome. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No.6,331,350. The thermosetting acrylic resins have been found to be morehydrophilic than the traditional phenolic binders, however. Thishydrophilicity can result in fiberglass insulation that is more prone toabsorb liquid water, thereby possibly compromising the integrity of theproduct. Also, the thermosetting acrylic resins now being used asbinding agents for fiberglass have been found to not react aseffectively with silane coupling agents of the type traditionally usedby the industry. The addition of silicone as a hydrophobing agentresults in problems when abatement devices are used that are based onincineration. Also, the presence of silicone in the manufacturingprocess can interfere with the adhesion of certain facing substrates tothe finished fiberglass material. Overcoming these problems will help tobetter utilize polycarboxy polymers in fiberglass binders.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide anovel, non-phenol-formaldehyde binder.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a binderwhich allows one to prepare fiberglass insulation products which aremore water repellent and less prone to absorb liquid water.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a fiberglassinsulation product which exhibits good recovery and rigidity, isformaldehyde-free, and is more water-proof.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent tothe skilled artisan upon a review of the following description and theclaims appended hereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the foregoing objectives, there is provided by thepresent invention a novel fiberglass binder. The binder composition ofthe present invention comprises a maleinated polyol and a reactivecomponent selected from the group consisting of alkanolamines, polyols,and monomers containing terminal unsaturation.

Further provided is a process for preparing a fiberglass bindercomprising maleinating a hydroxylated or epoxidized glyceride and thenco-polymerizing the maleinated glyceride with a reactive componentselected from the group consisting of alkanolamines, polyols, andmonomers containing terminal unsaturation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The binder of interest with regard to the present invention is aformaldehyde free binder useful for glass fibers. Of particular interestis a binder composition of maleinated polyols and a reactive componentselected from the group consisting of alkanolamines, polyols, andmonomers containing terminal unsaturation. The binder may also contain acuring agent. The binder provides a fiberglass product which exhibitsgood water absorption properties.

According to the present invention, polyols are any organic compoundhaving more than one hydroxy (—OH) group per molecule. Maleinatedpolyols, suitable for use in the binders of the present invention, areany polyols having maleinic functionality.

Accordingly, the maleinated polyols of the present invention may be madeby maleinating suitable polyols.

In preferred embodiments, the maleinated polyols are maleinatedglycerides. To provide the maleinated glycerides, hydroxylated orepoxidized glycerides are maleinated by reactions and methods well knownto those of skill in the art. Maleic anhydride is well known to reactwith hydroxylated or epoxidized glycerides in an esterification reaction(maleination) to provide maleinated glycerides. The hydroxylated orepoxidized glycerides may be monoglycerides, diglycerides,triglycerides, or mixtures thereof. In certain preferred embodiments,the glycerides are derived from plant and animal oils.

When triglycerides are used, the triglyceride molecular structure is acombination of various triesters of fatty acids linked together withglycerol where the fatty acid residues are linear carboxylic acidscontaining from about 4 to about 30 carbon atoms, preferably from about12 to 18 carbon atoms, and from about zero to about 4 carbon-carbondouble bonds. In certain embodiments, the triglycerides are natural oilsderived from plants or animals and preferably, from plants. Plant oilsthat may be suitable for use in the present invention include, forexample, linseed oils, soybean oils, rapeseed oils, castor anddehydrated castor oils, coconut oils, peanut oils, canola oils,safflower oils, seasame oils, hemp seed oils, corn oils, palm and palmkernel oils, sunflower oils, cottonseed oils, rice bran oils, colzaoils, and the like, and mixtures thereof.

Reactions to hydroxylate and/or epoxidize glycerides are well known tothose of skill in the art. Epoxidation of glycerides may be accomplishedusing air oxidation, enzyme-lipase, peracids such as acetic acid orformic acid, or hydrogen peroxide. Epoxidation creates cyclic 3-memberedoxygen containing rings within the alkyl chains of the fatty acidresidues. Hydroxylation of glycerides can be accomplished using hydrogenperoxide in the presence of acid such that initially the glyceride isepoxidized but the epoxy groups are converted directly to hydroxygroups. In addition, epoxidized and hydroxylated glycerides suitable foruse in the present invention are commercially available products.

In certain preferred embodiments, the maleinated polyols are thereaction product of hydroxylated monoglycerides and maleic anhydride.Alcoholysis of triglycerides with alcohols to yield monoglycerides iswell known to those of skill in the art. In other preferred embodiments,the maleinated polyols are the reaction product of hydroxylatedtriglycerides and maleic anhydride.

The binders according to the present invention further comprise areactive component selected from the group consisting of alkanolamines,polyols, and monomers containing terminal unsaturation. The maleinatedpolyols of the present invention crosslink with the reactive componentproviding a cured binder resin. Accordingly, the binders of the presentinvention may further comprise a curing agent. The desired cross-linkdensity and cross-link segment lengths can be obtained by adjusting therelative amounts of the maleinated polyols and reactive component and bythe addition of one or more curing agents.

According to the present invention, alkanolamines are any organiccompounds of the formula NR¹R²R³ wherein R¹, R² and R³ are independentlyselected from H, alkyl, and alkyl alcohols, provided that at least oneof R¹, R² and R³ is an alkyl alcohol. Examples of suitable alkanolaminesinclude, but are not limited to ethanol amine, diethanolamine,triethanolamine, diethylethanolamine, dimethylethanolamine,methyldiethanolamine, methylethanolamine, and the like. Thealkanolamines can crosslink with the maleinated polyols through esterand amide formation. However, if the alkanolamines do have more than onehydroxy group (i.e., diethanolamine), the crosslinking may also proceedby ester formation as described below with regard to polyols. Reactionconditions for cross-linking the maleinated polyols with alkanolaminesare well known to those of skill in the art.

When polyols are used as the reactive component in the bindercomposition, polyols suitable for use are any organic compound havingmore than one hydroxy (—OH) group per molecule that is capable ofcrosslinking with the maleinated polyols. Accordingly, the polyolsinclude diols, triols, and the like. The polyol must be sufficientlynonvolatile such that it will substantially remain available forreaction with the maleinated polyols in the binder composition duringheating and curing operations. Suitable polyols include polyols selectedfrom the group consisting of polyester polyols, polyurethane polyols,polyether polyols, and mixtures thereof. Examples of suitable polyolsinclude, but are not limited to, diethanol amine, triethanol amine,bisphenol-A, ethylene glycol, glycerol, pentaerythritol, trimethylolpropane, sorbitol, inisitol, glucose, sucrose, polyvinyl alcohol,starch, resorcinol, catechol, pyrogallol, glycollated ureas,1,4-cyclohexane diol, and the like, and mixtures thereof. The diols andtriols generally crosslink with the maleinated polyols by esterformation. Reaction conditions for cross-linking the maleinated polyolswith polyols are well known to those of skill in the art.

When monomers containing terminal unsaturation are used as the reactivecomponent in the binder composition, monomers suitable for use are anymonomer containing at least terminal unsaturation that will cross-linkor co-polymerize with the maleinated polyols by free radicalpolymerization. Examples of suitable monomers containing terminalunsaturation are selected from the group consisting of styrene, vinyltoluene, divinylbenzene, lower alkyl(meth)acrylate, lower alkylacrylates, ethylene glycol dimethylacrylate, di and tri acrylatedglycols (e.g., triethylene glycol triacrylate) and the like, andmixtures thereof.

As used herein, “lower alkyl” refers to monovalent alkyl groups havingfrom 1 to 5 carbon atoms including straight and branched chain alkylgroups, which groups may be optionally substituted. By way of example,the straight and branched chain alkyl groups optionally may besubstituted with one or more hydroxy (—OH) groups. This term isexemplified by groups such as methyl, hydroxymethyl, ethyl,hydroxyethyl, iso-propyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl,t-butyl, n-pentyl and the like. Accordingly, lower alkyl (meth)acrylatesmay be methyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate,hydroxyethylmethacrylate, and the like, and mixtures thereof. Accordingto the present invention, the monomers with terminal unsaturationcopolymerize with the maleinated polyols. Reaction conditions forcross-linking or co-polymerizing the maleinated polyols with themonomers containing terminal unsaturation are well known to those ofskill in the art.

The binder composition may comprise from about 10 to 90 weight percentmaleinated polyols and from about 90 to 10 weight percent reactivecomponent selected from the group consisting of alkanolamines, polyols,and monomers containing terminal unsaturation.

The cured binder according to the present invention is prepared bycrosslinking or co-polymerizing the maleinated polyols with the reactivecomponent selected from the group consisting of alkanolamines, polyols,and monomers containing terminal unsaturation by methods well known tothose of skill in the art. The maleinated polyols are reactive. Thecrosslinking and curing reaction preferably is conducted at elevatedtemperatures, e.g., between about 100° C. and 400° C. A curing agent maybe added to assist in the crosslinking and curing reaction. Inembodiments when the binder composition further comprises a curing agentthe binder may comprise from about 0.01 to 10 weight percent curingagent based on the combined weight of the maleinated polyols andreactive component.

The curing agent may be selected according to the reactive component tobe co-polymerized with the maleinated polyols and the degree ofcrosslink density desired in the cured binder. The curing agent may be acrosslinking catalyst or a free radical or photo initiator.

In certain embodiments, the curing agent may be a free radical initiatoror a photoinitiator. Suitable free radical initiators andphotoinitiators include, but are not limited to, benzoyl peroxide,dicumyl peroxide, azo compounds such as azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN),t-butylhydroperoxide, benzophenone, cobalt compounds, and the like. Thefree radical initiator may be used at a level of from about 1 weightpercent to about 10 weight percent based on the combined weight of themaleinated polyols and reactive component.

In other embodiments, the curing agent may be a crosslinking catalyst.Examples of suitable crosslinking catalysts include phosphoruscontaining catalysts, tertiary amines such as triethylamine (TEA),mineral acids such as H₂SO₄, HCl, sulfonic acids such as p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA) and methane sulfonic acid, organotitanatecompounds, organotin compounds, and the like. The phosphorus containingcatalyst may be a compound with a molecular weight less than about 1000such as, for example, an alkali metal polyphosphate, an alkali metaldihydrogen phosphate, a polyphosphoric acid, and an alkyl phosphinicacid or it may be an oligomer or polymer bearing phosphorous-containinggroups such as, for example, addition polymers of acrylic and/or maleicacids formed in the presence of sodium hypophosphite, addition polymersprepared from ethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence ofphosphorous salt chain transfer agents or terminators, and additionpolymers containing acid-functional monomer residues such as, forexample, copolymerized phosphoethyl methacrylate, and like phosphonicacid esters, and copolymerized vinyl sulfonic acid monomers, and theirsalts. The phosphorous-containing catalyst may be used at a level offrom about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent based on thecombined weight of the maleinized polyenes and reactive component.Preferred is a level of phosphorous-containing accelerator of from about2.5 weight percent to about 10 weight percent based on the combinedweight of the maleinized polyenes and reactive component.

The binder composition according to the present invention may alsocontain conventional treatment components or additives, such as, forexample, solvents, emulsifiers, pigments, filler, anti-migration aids,coalescents, wetting agents, biocides, plasticizers, organosilanes,anti-foaming agents, colorants, waxes, suspending agents, fillers,anti-oxidants, and mixtures thereof.

The binder composition may be prepared by admixing the maleinatedpolyols of the present invention with the reactive component selectedfrom the group consisting of alkanolamines, polyols, and monomerscontaining terminal unsaturation using conventional mixing techniques.In certain embodiments, the binder compositions may be prepared bymaleinating a glyceride as described herein to provide maleinatedpolyols and then admixing the maleinated polyols of the presentinvention with the reactive component selected from the group consistingof alkanolamines, polyols, and monomers containing terminal unsaturationusing conventional mixing techniques. Optionally, curing agent may alsobe admixed with the maleinated polyols and reactive component.

After the binder composition of the present invention comprisingmaleinated polyols, reactive component, and optionally curing agent hasbeen prepared, other conventional additives can then be mixed in withthe composition to form the final composition. The final bindercomposition then can be applied to fiberglass. As molten streams ofglass are drawn into fibers of random lengths and blown into a formingchamber where they are randomly deposited as a mat onto a travelingconveyor, the fibers, while in transit in the forming chamber, aresprayed with the binder composition of the present invention.

The binder according to the present invention may be applied to thefibers neat. In the alternative, the binder may be applied to the fibersas an emulsion, suspension, or solution. Preferably, the binder isapplied to the fibers as a solution in a solvent sufficiently volatilesuch that during the subsequent heating of the binder to cure, thesolvent will evaporate. Applying the binder in solution assists incontrolling the viscosity of the binder. Suitable solvents includewater, acetone, methanol, ethanol, and the like, and mixtures thereof.When applied as a solution, the binder can be sprayed on the surface andthe subsequent heating of the binder to cure will evaporate the solventin which the binder was applied.

After application to the fibers, preferably the binder is heated tocrosslink or co-polymerize the components to provide a cured binder.

More particularly, in the preparation of fiberglass insulation products,the products can be prepared using conventional techniques. As is wellknown, a porous mat of fibrous glass can be produced by fiberizingmolten glass and immediately forming a fibrous glass mat on a movingconveyor. The expanded mat is then conveyed to and through a curing ovenwherein heated air is passed through the mat to cure the resin. The matis slightly compressed to give the finished product a predeterminedthickness and surface finish. Typically, the curing oven is operated ata temperature from about 150° C. to about 325° C. Preferably, thetemperature ranges from about 180° C. to about 225° C. Generally, themat resides within the oven for a period of time from about ½ minute toabout 3 minutes. For the manufacture of conventional thermal oracoustical insulation products, the time ranges from about ¾ minute toabout 1½ minutes. The fibrous glass having a cured, rigid binder matrixemerges from the oven in the form of a bat which may be compressed forpackaging and shipping and which will thereafter substantially recoverits vertical dimension when unconstrained.

The curable binder composition of the present invention may also beapplied to an already formed nonwoven by conventional techniques suchas, for example, air or airless spraying, padding, saturating, rollcoating, curtain coating, beater deposition, coagulation, or the like.

The binder composition of the present invention, after it is applied toa nonwoven, is heated to effect drying and curing. If applied as asolution, the heating is sufficient to evaporate the solvent and removeany residual solvent from the binder composition. The duration andtemperature of heating will affect the rate of drying, processabilityand handleability, and property development of the treated substrate.Heat treatment at about 100° C., to about 400° C., for a period of timebetween about 3 seconds to about 15 minutes may be carried out;treatment at about 100° C., to about 250° C., is preferred. The dryingand curing functions may be effected in two or more distinct steps, ifdesired. For example, the composition may be first heated at atemperature and for a time sufficient to substantially dry but not tosubstantially cure the composition and then heated for a second time ata higher temperature and/or for a longer period of time to effectcuring. Such a procedure, referred to as “B-staging”, may be used toprovide binder-treated nonwoven, for example, in roll form, which may ata later stage be cured, with or without forming or molding into aparticular configuration, concurrent with the curing process.

The heat-resistant nonwovens may be used for applications such as, forexample, insulation batts or rolls, as reinforcing mat for roofing orflooring applications, as roving, as microglass-based substrate forprinted circuit boards or battery separators, as filter stock, as tapestock, as tape board for office petitions, in duct liners or duct board,and as reinforcement scrim in cementitious and non-cementitious coatingsfor masonry. Most preferably, the products are useful as thermal orsound insulation. The nonwovens can also be used as filtration media forair and liquids.

The present invention will be further illustrated by the followingexamples, which are in no manner meant to be limiting in scope.

EXAMPLES Example 1

Epoxidized linseed oil (obtained from CP Hall) was maleinated usingmaleic anhydride to provide maleinated epoxidized linseed oil.Maleinated epoxidized linseed oil (3.7 g) was dissolved in 10.0 gacetone to provide a solution. To this solution 0.50 g diethanol aminewas added and the mixture was stirred to become uniform. The mixture wasapplied on glass and Al panel at 10 mil wet film, air dried for 10minutes and then cured in an oven at 200° C. for 10 minutes to produce alight amber-flexible film.

Example 2

Epoxidized linseed oil (obtained from CP Hall) was maleinated usingmaleic anhydride to provide maleinated epoxidized linseed oil.Maleinated epoxidized linseed oil (3.7 g) was dissolved in 10.0 gacetone to provide a solution. To this solution 0.50 g triethanol aminewas added and the mixture was stirred to become uniform. The mixture wasapplied on glass and Al panel at 10 mil wet film, air dried for 10minutes and then cured in an oven at 200° C. for 10 minutes to produce alight amber-flexible film.

Example 3

Epoxidized linseed oil (obtained from CP Hall) was maleinated usingmaleic anhydride to provide maleinated epoxidized linseed oil. Dicumylperoxide (0.10 g) was dissolved in 1.0 g acetone. This solution wasadded to a solution containing 3.7 g maleinated epoxidized linseed oilin 10.0 g acetone. The mixture was applied on glass and Al panel at 10mil wet film, air dried for 10 minutes and then cured in an oven at 200°C. for 10 minutes to produce a light amber-flexible film.

Example 4

Epoxidized linseed oil (obtained from CP Hall) was maleinated usingmaleic anhydride to provide maleinated epoxidized linseed oil.Maleinated epoxidized linseed oil (1.0 g) was mixed with 9.0 g methyl(meth)acrylate. The mixture was heated to 50° C. and stirred until auniform solution was obtained. To this solution 0.50 g benzoyl peroxidewas added with stirring until dissolved. The solution was transferred toa 25 ml glass container which was capped and the solution was cured inthe container in an oven at 100° C. for 20 minutes to produce a hardpolymer.

Example 5

Epoxidized linseed oil (obtained from CP Hall) was maleinated usingmaleic anhydride to provide maleinated epoxidized linseed oil.Maleinated epoxidized linseed oil (1.0 g) was mixed with 10.0 g butyl(meth)acrylate. The mixture was heated to 50° C. and stirred until auniform solution was obtained. To this solution 0.50 g benzoyl peroxidewas added with stirring until dissolved. The solution was transferred toa 25 ml glass container which was capped and the solution was cured inthe container in an oven at 100° C. for 20 minutes to produce a flexiblepolymer.

Example 6

Triethanol amine (1.45 g) was reacted with 2.94 g maleic anhydride. Theproduct was dissolved in 10.0 g water containing 0.75 g triethanol amineto provide a solution. The solution was applied on glass and Al panel at10 mil wet film, air dried for 10 minutes and then cured in an oven at200° C. for 10 minutes to produce an amber-hard film.

Example 7

As prepared in Examples 1-6, the binder compositions can be used toprepare fiberglass bats as follows: Molten streams of glass are drawninto fibers of random lengths and blown into a forming chamber wherethey are randomly deposited as a mat onto a traveling conveyor. Thefibers while in transit in the forming chamber are sprayed with thebinder compositions of Examples 1-6. The expanded mat is then conveyedto and through a curing oven wherein heated air is passed through themat to cure the resin. The mat is slightly compressed to give thefinished product a predetermined thickness and surface finish.Typically, the curing oven is operated at a temperature from about 150°C. to about 325° C. and the mat resides within the oven for a period oftime from about ½ minute to about 3 minutes. The fibrous glass having acured, rigid binder matrix emerges from the oven in the form of a bat.

While the invention has been described with preferred embodiments, it isto be understood that variations and modifications may be resorted to aswill be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such variations andmodifications are to be considered within the purview and the scope ofthe claims appended hereto.

1. A fiberglass binder comprising maleinated polyols formed by reactionwith maleic anhydride through an esterification reaction and a reactivecomponent selected from the group consisting of alkanolamines, polyols,and monomers containing terminal unsaturation.
 2. The fiberglass binderof claim 1, wherein the maleinated polyol is maleinated glyceride. 3.The fiberglass binder of claim 2, wherein the maleinated polyol is thereaction product of hydroxylated or epoxidized monoglycerides and maleicanhydride.
 4. The fiberglass binder of claim 2, wherein the maleinatedpolyol is the reaction product of hydroxylated or epoxidizeddiglycerides and maleic anhydride.
 5. The fiberglass binder of claim 1,wherein the maleinated polyol is the reaction product of a hydroxylatedor epoxidized triglycerides and maleic anhydride.
 6. The fiberglassbinder of claim 5, wherein the triglyceride is a plant or animal oil. 7.The fiberglass binder of claim 6, wherein the oil is selected from thegroup consisting of linseed oils, soybean oils, rapeseed oils, castorand dehydrated castor oils, coconut oils, peanut oils, canola oils,safflower oils, corn oils, palm and palm kernel oils, sunflower oils,cottonseed oils, rice bran oils, colza oils, and mixtures thereof. 8.The fiberglass binder of claim 1, wherein the reactive component is apolyol selected from the group consisting of polyester polyols,polyurethane polyols, polyether polyols, and mixtures thereof.
 9. Thefiberglass binder of claim 1, wherein the reactive component is a polyolselected from the group consisting of diethanol amine, triethanol amine,bisphenol-A, ethylene glycol, glycerol, pentaerythritol, trimethylolpropane, sorbitol, inisitol, glucose, sucrose, polyvinyl alcohol,starch, resorcinol, catechol, pyrogallol, glycollated ureas,1,4-cyclohexane diol, and mixtures thereof.
 10. The fiberglass binder ofclaim 1, wherein the reactive component is a monomer containing terminalunsaturation selected from the group consisting of styrene, vinyltoluene, divinylbenzene, lower alkyl (meth)acrylate lower alkylacrylates, ethylene glycol dimethylacrylate, diacrylated glycols,triacrylated glycols, and mixtures thereof.
 11. The fiberglass binder ofclaim 1, wherein the reactive component is an alkanolamine.
 12. Thefiberglass binder of claim 11, wherein the reactive component is a loweralkyl (meth)acrylate selected from the group consisting of methylmethacrylate, butyl methacrylate, hydroxyethylmethacrylate, and mixturesthereof.
 13. The fiberglass binder of claim 1, wherein the fiberglassbinder further comprises a component selected from the group consistingof solvents, emulsifiers, pigments, filler, anti-migration aids,coalescents, wetting agents, biocides, plasticizers, organosilanes,anti-foaming agents, colorants, waxes, suspending agents, fillers,anti-oxidants, and mixtures thereof.
 14. The fiberglass binder of claim1, wherein the binder further comprises a curing agent.
 15. Thefiberglass binder of claim 14, wherein the curing is a free radicalinitiator or a photoinitiator.
 16. The fiberglass binder of claim 15,wherein the free radical initiator or photoinitiator is selected fromthe group consisting of benzoyl peroxide, dicumyl peroxide,azoisobutyronitrile, t-butylhydroperoxide, and benzophenone.
 17. Thefiberglass binder of claim 14, wherein the curing agent is acrosslinking catalyst selected from the group consisting of phosphoruscontaining catalysts, trethylamine, mineral acids, sulfonic acids,organotitanate compounds, and organotin compounds.
 18. A process forpreparing a fiberglass binder comprising maleinating a hydroxylated orepoxidized glyceride and then co-polymerizing the maleinated glyceridewith a reactive component selected from the group consisting ofalkanolamines, polyols, and monomers containing terminal unsaturation.19. The process of claim 18, wherein the hydroxylated or epoxidizedglyceride is a hydroxylated or epoxidized triglyceride.
 20. The processof claim 19, wherein the triglyceride is a plant or animal oil.
 21. Theprocess of claim 20, wherein the oil is selected from the groupconsisting of linseed oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, castor oil,coconut oil, palm oil, sunflower oil, and mixtures thereof.
 22. Theprocess of claim 18, further comprising applying the binder to a mat ofglass fibers.
 23. The process of claim 22, wherein the binder is appliedneat.
 24. The process of claim 22, wherein the binder is applied as anemulsion, suspension, or solution.
 25. A fiberglass product comprising amat of glass fibers containing the binder of claim
 1. 26. The fiberglassproduct of claim 25, wherein the product is building insulation.
 27. Aproces for binding fiberglass comprising depositing on a fiberglassproduct a composition comprising maleinated polyol formed by reactionwith maleic anhydride through an esterification reaction and a reactivecomponent selected from the group consisting of alkanolamines, polyols,and manomers containing terminal unsaturation, and curing saidcomposition while present on said fiberglass product to form a binderthereon.
 28. A process according to claim 27 wherein said fiberglassproduct is building insulation.